HEYBRIDGE Swifts coach Paul Abrahams believes his fast-improving side showed their rapid progress in Tuesday’s Essex Senior Cup final defeat against Concord Rangers.

Despite being pipped 1-0, the Scraley Road side pushed their Canvey Island opponents - challenging for a play-off spot in National League South - all the way at Dagenham and Redbridge’s Victoria Road ground.

Abrahams admitted being disappointed to miss out on the silverware - but feels his club and players should be proud of their exceptional efforts.

“We gave them a real run for their money,” said the former Colchester United star, who works along first-team manager Jody Brown.

“Concord were pushed all the way and I’m sure they’d be the first to admit that.

“We were disappointed not to win, because we had some good opportunities and the goal we conceded was avoidable, from our point of view.

“It was a bit of a freak one.

“But with a bit of luck and more quality in the final third, we could have won the game.

“It was a very competitive match and, as a team, we’re getting better and better.

“This shows where we are and there are so many positives.

“For the boys to produce that level of performance is a real credit to them and the progress they’ve made.

“It’s a young team and for a lot of them it’s their first experience of non-league football.

“It’s poles apart from what they’re used to and takes time to adapt.

“As coaches, we can tell them how good they are and that they’re capable of going on to achieve things.

“But for them to experience something like this for themselves will give them extra confidence and belief in their ability - and show them that they’re capable of big, bright futures.”

Tuesday’s defeat was only Swifts’ fifth in 19 league and cup games - stunning form that belies their lowly position in Ryman League division north.

They are still involved in the relegation dogfight but gave their survival chances a huge boost by winning 3-0 at Waltham Abbey on Saturday.

Swifts will be hoping to cement their position by winning Saturday’s match at AFC Hornchurch, with a trip to neighbours Maldon and Tiptree looming on Tuesday night.

“The situation we stepped into wasn’t great, when we arrived at the club,” added Abrahams.

“The club were rock bottom of the table and shipping several goals a game.

“It hasn’t been a quick fix but since then we’ve made big changes and worked extremely hard to galvanise ourselves, find a way of playing to our strengths and get across our message and philosophies.

“Our form has been excellent in recent weeks, apart from one blip against Haringey Borough.

“Hopefully now we can get the points we need as soon as possible, to secure our place in this league.”

Speaking prior to the final, boss Brown had admitted his side had “nothing to lose”.

“We’ve succeeded just in getting to the final,” he said.

“But congratulations to Concord.

“They’re a very good team.

“Many thanks to our supporters, who backed us so well on the night.

“They were great and I hope we made them proud of their club again.”

Looking ahead to the season’s last few league games, the Swifts boss added: “Our recent form has been excellent - it’s promotion form.

“If we were halfway through the season, I’d be tipping us for a surge for the play-offs.”

In addition to their matches against Hornchurch and Maldon, Swifts have a final-day date against Phoenix Sports, at Scraley Road, on Saturday, April 23.

Concord boss Adam Flanagan, a former Maldon and Tiptree player, said: “I thought Heybridge played well and we didn’t retain the ball well enough, especially in the second half.

“We had some good chances and their keeper made a couple of saves but the game was always on edge.

“Heybridge had nothing to lose and I felt that they played really well.

“They didn’t have a great amount of chances but they had some really good ones and we were probably a little bit fortunate that our keeper was able to save them.”